How long foods keep in the refrigerator. Find the food’s section, then read the column that matches the date on its label.
Dairy
After "sell by" date
After opening
Milk
1 week
5–7 days
Butter / margarine
3 months
1–3 months
Yogurt
2 weeks
1–2 weeks
Sour cream & cream cheese
1–2 weeks
1–2 weeks
Cottage cheese
1–2 weeks
1 week
Hard cheese (parmesan)
1–2 months
3–4 weeks
Semi-soft cheese (cheddar)
1 month
1–2 weeks
Soft cheese (brie)
1–2 weeks
1 week
Meat
After "sell by" date
After purchase
After opening
Roasts, steaks & chops
3–5 days
Ground meat
1–2 days
Lunch meat / deli sliced
2 weeks
3–5 days
Hot dogs
2 weeks
1 week
Bacon
1 week
Raw sausage
1–2 days
Poultry & Eggs
After purchase
After cooking
After preparing
Raw poultry
1–2 days
Cooked poultry
3–4 days
Eggs in shell
3–5 weeks
Hard-cooked eggs
1 week
Deli salads (chicken, tuna, egg, potato, macaroni)
3–4 days
Fish & Seafood
After purchase
After cooking
Fresh fish
1–2 days
Cooked fish
3–4 days
Shrimp & shellfish
1–2 days
Freshly Prepared Foods
After preparing
After cooking
Cooked meat dishes & leftovers
3–4 days
3–4 days
Cooked pasta
3–5 days
Cooked rice & grains
3–4 days
Soups & stews
3–4 days
Cooked vegetables
3–4 days
Sauces & gravies
3–4 days
Casseroles & cooked dishes
3–4 days
Pizza
3–4 days
Source: FoodSafety.gov cold food storage guidelines · Verified August 10, 2026. Once a food has been opened, cooked, or prepared, that date replaces the sell-by or purchase date.